Happy Easter!

We got home from our vacation Saturday night and the next morning was Easter Sunday.  The kids were excited to find their baskets and candy.  We also opened our special Easter eggs that have things inside that tell us the story of Christ's last week and then his death and resurrection.

 Here is our Ellie Jelly Bean!

Searching for eggs

Of course our favorite part of Easter is remembering our Savior Jesus Christ who lived and died for us.  Because of Him, we can return to live with God and Christ and have life eternal with our families forever.

Valentine's

Brad gave me these gorgeous roses for Valentine's Day!

 Brad was still studying like crazy for his CPA exams, but he did take time off to be with us.  The night before the young women watched the kids for a couple hours as a service project, so Brad and I went out to dinner at Roosters, since we had a gift card.  On Valentine's morning I helped out with Parker's class party.

 We ate some special foods, like these heart sandwiches.

That night we had a candlelight dinner complete with sparkling cider!  

I love my cute valentines!

Christmas Day

We woke up on Christmas morning and went into open presents about 7:45 a.m.

 Following tradition, we walked in youngest to oldest (my dad being the exception).

 Jason was excited about his superheroes and villian. 

 Liesel was thrilled about her Tinkerbell!

 Santa brought Legos and a Plasma Car!

The stockings were pretty minimal this year, but the kids got mini lightsabers and noisy laser guns.

Testing out the Plasma Car. 

 Peter was excited about the remote control helicopter we gave him. 

At ten we met at GG's church for the annual Finnan Haddie breakfast.  Jason didn't care for it, but still ate his regular so-big-he-can-barely-close-his-mouth bites.  He's hilarious that he still stuffs his mouth even while whining that it's yucky, ha, ha!  After the meal, the kids played a little basketball. 

Elise

 Lauren, Julie, McKenzie, Kim, Janelle, Sarah and Presslie 

Aurora in her adorable owl hat.

 

We gathered near the stage for gifts. 

Liesel, Jason and Elise got pillow pets from GG and Grandpa Carlson. 

 

 Grandpa 

All the grandkids but Jada (Elise, Liesel, Parker, Isabelle, Adam, Isaac, Kade, Will and Jason 

 Eric and William 

 Brad and his sisters

Afterwards we went to the clubhouse at Brad's parents' condo.

I had made light sabers for our nieces and nephews.

 

 Playing with Grandma

We came back to my parents' and played with toys.  Parker built some circuits with the Snap Circuit we gave him.

Then he made bugs with the kit his Pratt grandparents gave him.

Jason had tons of fun doing superhero puzzles from Grandma and Grandpa Pratt.

Elise with her Repunzel doll.

Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve we went down to Grandma Pratt's in Springville with Brad's dad's family.  The weather was really bad in Salt Lake and we were afraid the roads were too bad, but once we got to the point of the mountain, the roads were clear and the sun came out.  Here are a bunch of mostly candid shots:

Nikki painting Liesel's nails

Ivy and Katherine

 Parker, McKay, Adam and Grayson

Isabelle, Jackie, Liesel, Elise and Jen 

 Jen and Elise (Elise had a massive blowout and we didn't have spare clothes.  Luckily Nikki saved us with some of Gracie's clothes).

Brad, Conner, McKay 

Parker, McKay, Gracin, Saidee 

 Abby, Landon, Mark and Liesel

 Jason and Liesel

Grandma, Kristie, Glen and Linsey 

Jackie, Jen and Grandma 

Jason chose his gift from the game 

Grandma and the twins

  Elise

 That night we had dinner and a mini program with my parents, Pete, Angie, Ben, Suzie and Grandma Ipson.

After the kids went out to spead reindeer food.